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Dyeing one's hair black

The correct opinion is that it is haram to do this, because of the warning mentioned in the hadith: "At the end of time there will be people who dye their hair black like the crops of pigeons; they will never smell the fragrance of Paradise." (Reported by Abu Dawood, 4/419; see also Sahih Al-Jami', 8153).

This practice is widespread among those who have grey hairs, which they cover with black dye; this leads to many evils, such as deceit, and cheating people by boasting of something which is not true. It is true that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to dye his grey hairs with henna, which gave a yellowish, reddish or brownish hue. When Abu Quhaafah, whose hair and beard was as white as thughaamah (plant whose leaves and flowers are intensely white) was brought to him on the day of the Conquest of Makah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Change this with something, but avoid black." (Reported by Muslim, 3/1663). The correct view is that women are like men in this regard: they are not permitted to dye any hairs black that are not black.

Having pictures of animate beings on clothing, walls or paper, etc.

'Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The people who will be most severely punished by Allah on the Day of Resurrection are the picture-makers." (Reported by Al- Bukhari, see Al-Fath, 10/382).

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah says: 'Who does more wrong than the one who tries to create something like My creation; let him create a grain of wheat or an ear of corn '" (Reported by Al- Bukhari, see Fath Al-Bari, 10/385).

Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Every picture-maker will be in the Fire and for each picture that he made he will be given a soul, and he will be punished in Hell." Ibn 'Abbas said: If you must make pictures, draw trees and things that do not possess a soul." (Reported by Muslim, 3/1671).

These ahadith clearly indicate that it is haram to make images of animate beings, whether they be humans or different kinds of animals, whether the images are two- or three dimensional. Pictures are forbidden whether they are drawn, engraved, carved, etched or cast from moulds. The ahadith which forbid making pictures cover all these methods.

The Muslim should accept what the Sharee'ah says, without arguing. Some may say "Well, I am not worshipping these pictures or prostrating to them!" But if you look closely and think about just one of the bad effects of the widespread presence of pictures in our times, you will understand the wisdom behind this prohibition: this bad effect is the provocation of sexual desire which leads to immorality, because of these pictures. The Muslim should not keep any pictures of animate beings in his house, because this prevents the angels from entering his home. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The angels do not enter a house where there is a dog or pictures." (Reported by Al-Bukhari, see Al-Fath, 10/380).

In many houses there are even statues, some of which represent the gods of the kuffaar, which are kept for